Senior Division Instructors:

With over 30 years experience as a dancer and 15 years as a dance instructor, Aki’s passion and knowledge for Greek dance has been a large part of his life. His goal is to learn, teach, and preserve Hellenic dance and culture by passing on his knowledge to others. His philosophy entails a holistic approach to teaching and showcasing authentic Greek dances and traditions to all generations and audiences.

He began his teaching career as secondary instructor for the Greek School and Romiosyni’s women’s division in 2003. In 2005, he became one of the senior division instructors which he currently teaches. He is also a member of the Greek Community’s dance committee which oversees all Greek dance-related initiatives in Halifax.

Halifax Greek Fest 2007

He’s received training in Canada and Greece through various dance seminars and has been involved with dance research in and out of the field. Despite that he has a vast knowledge of dances from all over Greece, his Pontic background (3rd generation) motivated him to learn and research the dances and traditions of his papou. Other areas of specialization include dances, traditions, and songs of Peloponissos (his other “home”), Kriti, Anatoliki Romylia, Evros (Thraki), Makedonia (Drama, Serres, and Florina), Sarakatsanoi (Polites), and the Vlachs of eastern Makedonia (Grammoustianoi).

Aki formerly taught with the HRSB (HRCE) as a secondary teacher. Over the past 8 years, he turned his attention to adult learning as an instructional designer/e-learning specialist, curriculum developer, and learning-centered researcher within the contexts of on-the-job training (both military/public/private sectors), higher education, adult education, English as an Additional Language, and cultural education (i.e., Greek dance). Aki is a former tutor and provides consultations regarding instructional design and e-learning.

When he finds time outside of family his life, Aki works away at his masters thesis which presents faculty with options to become more learning-centered with their teaching. He also plays soccer all year round, follows his beloved Olympiacos, and is obsessed with everything Star Wars!

Education:

Aki has a BA in History/Political Science (Saint Mary’s University (2006)), a BSc (Secondary Education) from University of Maine at Presque Isle (2009), and is currently writing his thesis to complete his MAEd (Mount Saint Vincent University). He currently holds a TC5 License (NS Department of Education) and a TESL Certificate (Saint Mary’s University).